Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry by Katrina Kenison

★★★☆☆
As mothers today we are faced with a daunting list of responsibilities. How easy it is to simply rush headlong through our lives, slaves to our daily obligations, and in the process race our children through their childhood. But there is a better way... In Mitten Strings for God, Katrina Kenison shares her own search for a more satisfying balance in her life. The result is a lyrical and tender series of reflections, interwoven with gentle suggestions and advice, that remind us what happens when we slow down and are fully present in our lives. Suddenly there is room for joy and play and intimacy, space for wonder and reverie, and time to awaken to the beauty of the world and discover the sacred in the ordinary. Tranquil in our own hearts and minds, we can offer our children the one thing they need more than anything else: us. And we receive something priceless in return-the chance to savor our lives and the precious people in them.


I was really looking forward to reading Mitten Strings for God because I think so many times I feel caught up in getting 'stuff' done, even if it's for the kids, that I have to remind myself to sit down with them and just enjoy the moment.  Based upon the title, I also thought this book was written from a Christian perspective.


I thought the concepts in this book were great: slow down, play with your kids, enjoy being with them.  Your time with your children doesn't have to be constant instruction.  I thought these were great concepts and great reminders.  However, contrary to what I thought, this book wasn't written from a Christian perspective (which was fine); but for me it was a little too 'touchy-feely.'  I could only read so much about watching trees sway in the wind and listening to crickets chirp (I may be making that up, but that's the feeling I got when reading).  Maybe that's my not-slowing-down mentality coming through!!  But I actually didn't finish reading the book because I got the gist pretty early on and got bored of reading more of the same.


This book has high ratings on bn.com, so if it sounds interesting I'd say give it a whirl.  I totally agree with the concepts of enjoying your children, but the style of this book was a little over-the-top for me.